I've been learning Welsh for longer than I dare remember or admit.
I actually began when myself and my wife ( a Gaelic speaker) returned from teaching in West Germany ( as it was then) in 1979.
We attended classes once a week and while she continued to do 'A' Level and a Diploma from the Univ. of Wales, I struggled and stuttered along until, years later in Merthyr I resumed again.
Lunchtime classes at Pen-y-dre High taken by the inimitable Head of Welsh Vaughan Richards were a bonus, as were lessons at my children's school Santes Tudful.
However, the best opportunity was at the old Scala snooker club and the inspirational teaching of one Phil Meaker, a legendary joiner of words and phrases.
I even attended Nant Gwrtheyrn language centre on the Llyn twice at that time : the best place to learn because once there it was virtually impossible to leave!
My wife refused to drive back up the windy track which had no barriers at all, though it's been much developed since.
Nine years ago when I retired prematurely from teaching to concentrate on writing and workshops, my skills had all but disappeared despite the valiant efforts of Rob Hughes ( another fine teacher) at informal classes in the local pub.
My confidence with languages had always been lacking.
I was in awe of my wife, who had annually gone away to the Donegal Gaeltacht as a teenager and also done a Celtic Studies degree in Belfast.
I tried to read and talk to my children in Welsh when they were young ,but they soon overtook me and I felt left behind.
In the last decade however, several people have contributed to giving me that vital 'hyder' to speak without caring too much about mistakes.One was Sue Jenkins my tutor in Hirwaun, who always encouraged me to 'have a go whatever'.
Another has undoubtedly been the ex-chair of Cymdeithas yr Iaith and Merthyr 'boi' Jamie Bevan, who simply refused to talk to me in English and never corrected except in a helpful way. Through Jamie, I came to see the language as a living entity not academic exercise.
Here was somebody willing to go to prison for his convictions that Welsh should be on a completely equal footing with English in every area of life in Cymru.
What made it all the more laudable was that he'd rebelled against Welsh at Comp. when it was forced upon him and only come to these conclusions when living in England, away from his upbringing and culture.
Through my present tutor Phil Stone I've learnt another kind of dedication and quest. Phil had a career as a Science teacher and then , on retirement, successfully passed a Welsh degree and became a tutor of adults.
His knowledge of grammar is comprehensive and he's able to explain it so clearly ; he is also very enthusiastic about all aspects of Welsh culture and history.
I still feel the more I discover the less I know, yet gradually I'm beginning to watch programmes on S4C and understand them.
It's odd how certain broadcasters are so much easier to comprehend and Huw Edwards is one. Contrast this to listening to an interview with one of my heroes Gruff Rhys of the Super Furries......he might as well be speaking Russian for all I can glean!
I now e-mail, text and post on Facebook in Welsh, still making errors I'm sure, but doing it regardless.
As to writing, I try to compose poems in Welsh and one of my favourite poets is Iwan Llwyd, also an excellent bassist in many bands.
Winning the Chair at the learners' Eisteddfod in Y Fenni a couple of years back was a big boost, though the step up to the Genedlaethol proper would require Bendigeidfran strides.
Every year I especially look forward to the Ysgol Haf at the Trefforest campus of the Uni of s. Wales.
It's then I become totally immersed : thinking in Welsh, dreaming in Welsh and searching for better swear words than 'Nefi blew!'
I've come a long way. There's even further to go.
Anyone seen me crossing that bridge?
DYSGU CYMRAEG
I have come quite a distance, ware teg,
yet my ready answer how long
is inevitably 'amser maith yn ol',
which is easier to say than numbers
when I must use 'y system ugeiniol'.
I am in dosbarth Uwch 4 plus
which has been invented for us,
not quite ready for 'Hyfedredd'
where there are folk with degrees in Welsh
who've read ' Un Nos Ola Leuad'.
Sometimes I'm full of 'hyder',
some days I feel almost 'rhugl'
and then get my 'gwaith cartref'
full of green marks and 'gwallau'
( though I do use Welsh in English poems).
I'd like to enter for the 'Gadair'
in the 'Genedlaethol' one year,
but I'm not sure about that spotlight,
sword, dancers and , above all, those outfits :
blame it on that nutter Iolo Morgannwg!
I once had a 'sgrws' with locals
at the Black Boy , Caernarfon over a few pints
and they complimented my fluency
( I think they'd had one too many,
or maybe they were being polite).
I've come a long way with many others,
we're like a band of aging adventurers
landing on the shores of Yr Wladfa.
History ,culture leading to a Now that matters :
this time, this tense meaning 'amser'.
I actually began when myself and my wife ( a Gaelic speaker) returned from teaching in West Germany ( as it was then) in 1979.
We attended classes once a week and while she continued to do 'A' Level and a Diploma from the Univ. of Wales, I struggled and stuttered along until, years later in Merthyr I resumed again.
Lunchtime classes at Pen-y-dre High taken by the inimitable Head of Welsh Vaughan Richards were a bonus, as were lessons at my children's school Santes Tudful.
However, the best opportunity was at the old Scala snooker club and the inspirational teaching of one Phil Meaker, a legendary joiner of words and phrases.
I even attended Nant Gwrtheyrn language centre on the Llyn twice at that time : the best place to learn because once there it was virtually impossible to leave!
My wife refused to drive back up the windy track which had no barriers at all, though it's been much developed since.
Nine years ago when I retired prematurely from teaching to concentrate on writing and workshops, my skills had all but disappeared despite the valiant efforts of Rob Hughes ( another fine teacher) at informal classes in the local pub.
My confidence with languages had always been lacking.
I was in awe of my wife, who had annually gone away to the Donegal Gaeltacht as a teenager and also done a Celtic Studies degree in Belfast.
I tried to read and talk to my children in Welsh when they were young ,but they soon overtook me and I felt left behind.
In the last decade however, several people have contributed to giving me that vital 'hyder' to speak without caring too much about mistakes.One was Sue Jenkins my tutor in Hirwaun, who always encouraged me to 'have a go whatever'.
Another has undoubtedly been the ex-chair of Cymdeithas yr Iaith and Merthyr 'boi' Jamie Bevan, who simply refused to talk to me in English and never corrected except in a helpful way. Through Jamie, I came to see the language as a living entity not academic exercise.
Here was somebody willing to go to prison for his convictions that Welsh should be on a completely equal footing with English in every area of life in Cymru.
What made it all the more laudable was that he'd rebelled against Welsh at Comp. when it was forced upon him and only come to these conclusions when living in England, away from his upbringing and culture.
Through my present tutor Phil Stone I've learnt another kind of dedication and quest. Phil had a career as a Science teacher and then , on retirement, successfully passed a Welsh degree and became a tutor of adults.
His knowledge of grammar is comprehensive and he's able to explain it so clearly ; he is also very enthusiastic about all aspects of Welsh culture and history.
I still feel the more I discover the less I know, yet gradually I'm beginning to watch programmes on S4C and understand them.
It's odd how certain broadcasters are so much easier to comprehend and Huw Edwards is one. Contrast this to listening to an interview with one of my heroes Gruff Rhys of the Super Furries......he might as well be speaking Russian for all I can glean!
I now e-mail, text and post on Facebook in Welsh, still making errors I'm sure, but doing it regardless.
As to writing, I try to compose poems in Welsh and one of my favourite poets is Iwan Llwyd, also an excellent bassist in many bands.
Winning the Chair at the learners' Eisteddfod in Y Fenni a couple of years back was a big boost, though the step up to the Genedlaethol proper would require Bendigeidfran strides.
Every year I especially look forward to the Ysgol Haf at the Trefforest campus of the Uni of s. Wales.
It's then I become totally immersed : thinking in Welsh, dreaming in Welsh and searching for better swear words than 'Nefi blew!'
I've come a long way. There's even further to go.
Anyone seen me crossing that bridge?
DYSGU CYMRAEG
I have come quite a distance, ware teg,
yet my ready answer how long
is inevitably 'amser maith yn ol',
which is easier to say than numbers
when I must use 'y system ugeiniol'.
I am in dosbarth Uwch 4 plus
which has been invented for us,
not quite ready for 'Hyfedredd'
where there are folk with degrees in Welsh
who've read ' Un Nos Ola Leuad'.
Sometimes I'm full of 'hyder',
some days I feel almost 'rhugl'
and then get my 'gwaith cartref'
full of green marks and 'gwallau'
( though I do use Welsh in English poems).
I'd like to enter for the 'Gadair'
in the 'Genedlaethol' one year,
but I'm not sure about that spotlight,
sword, dancers and , above all, those outfits :
blame it on that nutter Iolo Morgannwg!
I once had a 'sgrws' with locals
at the Black Boy , Caernarfon over a few pints
and they complimented my fluency
( I think they'd had one too many,
or maybe they were being polite).
I've come a long way with many others,
we're like a band of aging adventurers
landing on the shores of Yr Wladfa.
History ,culture leading to a Now that matters :
this time, this tense meaning 'amser'.
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